Overview & Reviews

The Pontiac brand is part of the General Motors family, and is home to many of the automaker's more performance-oriented vehicles. Currently, the marque offers a broad range of sporty cars and SUVs. However, as part of GM's restructuring plan, the brand is slated to be discontinued by the end of the 2010 model year.

Pontiac originated as the Oakland Car Company of Pontiac, Michigan, in 1907; it was founded by Edward Murphy. Acquired by General Motors in 1909, Oakland introduced the first Pontiac vehicle in 1926. Dubbed the "Chief of the Sixes," the car was powered by a six-cylinder engine and made its debut at that year's New York auto show. It was so successful that the Oakland name was phased out in favor of Pontiac, the name of an 18th-century chief of the Ottawa Indians. Throughout the 1930s and '40s Pontiac made coupes, sedans and wagons in the low-to-mid price ranges. A unique styling cue of Pontiac cars from the mid-'30s to the mid-'50s was known as "Silver Streak," a set of art-deco-inspired chrome "speed lines" that ran up over the length of the hood to the base of the windshield.

The 1950s saw the introduction of the Pontiac Bonneville. The sprawling, stylish cruiser offered equal measures of performance and luxury, and was a breakout hit. But it wasn't until the 1960s that the Pontiac brand truly came into its own. American manufacturers had begun to offer downsized alternatives to the gigantic cruisers that had ruled the highways in previous decades. Pontiac came to market with the compact Tempest. In 1964, Pontiac made its biggest impact yet with the creation of the GTO option for the Tempest. By equipping the car with the powerful 389 cubic-inch V8 from the full-size car line, Pontiac created the first "muscle car." Phenomenally successful, the GTO helped define the burgeoning muscle car category. Pontiac also saw tremendous success during the latter part of this decade with its Firebird and Firebird Trans Am.

The oil crisis of the '70s made fuel efficiency a priority for many car buyers. Following the lead of its GM siblings, Pontiac made compact vehicles like the Ventura and Phoenix a major part of its lineup. The '80s saw the launch of the two-seat Pontiac Fiero. Despite its modest beginnings (it was initially marketed as a "commuter car"), the Fiero eventually blossomed into a credible sports car.

The '90s saw the launch of Pontiacs like the Sunfire and Montana minivan. Pontiac has slowly lost sales due to changing tastes and a lack of differentiation between its models and those of other GM divisions. In hopes of recapturing past glory, the division embarked on a plan to retire aged models and introduce all-new ones with distinctive styling and personality. For a while, the effort seemed to be bearing fruit. New models like the Vibe, Solstice and G8 made Pontiac a brand to consider in many segments. However, GM's financial troubles in 2008 and 2009 have resulted in the company's decision to phase out Pontiac as a brand. It's expected 2010 will be Pontiac's last year for new models.

User Reviews:

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  Not a winter vehicle - 2007 Pontiac Torrent
  By Heather - November 3 - 1:40 pm

  My Torrent is definately not a winter vehicle. Slips and slides and I get zero traction. Basically, I come to a rolling stop at stop signs, because I know I wont get traction to get going again. The traction control is a joke. I had my Torrent for a month, and the traction control went out. They claimed they fixed it, but it still doesnt work properly. Will be trading for a roomier SUV, this fall. Also, youd think for a smaller SUV, it would get better gas mileage. I can get as bad as 9 mpg, driving in town, and up to 25 on the highway. For how small it is, I would like to see it get way better mileage than that!!

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  Used GT - 1996 Pontiac Grand AM
  By GM User - October 31 - 10:00 am

  I bought my wife a used 96 Grand Am GT with 42,000 miles. I thought that was low milage considering we bought it in 02. I went ahead and purchased an extended warranty, thank god. After owning the vehicle for one week we had to replace the Window motor driver side, the head gasket, the O2 Sensor, and the Alternator. Granted, we purchased used so I dont know how the vehicle was being maintained by the previous owner. But Ive heard similar problems with this model from other owners.

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  Uncomfortable ride for a luxury car - 2002 Pontiac Bonneville
  By Scott-ssei - October 31 - 10:00 am

  The car ran well for the first year. After that a power window broke, numerous rattles began, the rack and pinion failed (replaced twice), the transmission shifting became inconsistant, rough idle, and worst of all, a harsh vibration started to occur at speedsover 55 mph. Freeway driving is VERY uncofortale. The worst part is that the dealer failed or even tried to repair the problems. Even though they acknowledge the problems when I test drive the car with them, the car is returned to me with "problem not found". This is my last Pontiac. Dont buy this car.

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  cheaply made - 2001 Pontiac Grand AM
  By never buy pontiac - October 27 - 10:00 am

  this car really disappoints me. the passenger window fell out of track @ 40,000, the speaker sounds busted, air conditioner controls do not work, and most recently the fuel pump went out. (very expensive!!)would never buy a Pontiac Grand AM GT again.Plus the resale value is horrible.

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  never again - 2001 Pontiac Aztek
  By marycat - October 21 - 10:00 am

  I loved my Aztek for the 1st year. Then the problems began. I had it towed 3 times. The engine would continually stall. When it was towed to the garage it would run and they could find nothing wrong. I was not the only one this happened to. You can hear the wind through the passenger window which I have also fixed 3 times and it still does it. My SES is alway on and there is nothing wrong. I have given up on paying for that to be checked My heater went out the 2nd year (l live in WI and need a heater) This year air conditioner went out. Now I am stuck and cant afford a new car.

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  Im Broke - 2001 Pontiac Grand Prix
  By Delrone - October 8 - 6:00 pm

  This car was good until 85k miles. I understand things need to be changed and replaced with a high mileage car like brakes oil filters fluids etc. My costs of repairs have been doubling since my 4th year of ownership. Transmission @120k 3 Master cylinders, brake lines twice, 3 EGR valves, ball joints, Emmisions problems like crazy, carbon build up on the gas pedal, sending unit replaced, electrical grounds rotting off, electrical switches failed early at 40k miles, rusting early 50k miles(once a week washing with a professional detail twice a year)hub assymbly at 83kmiles, wind sheild washer fluid rarely works in cold weather, door seals and locks freeze, thermostat replaced at 130k.

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  I got a lemon!!! - 2002 Pontiac Firebird
  By jmd - October 6 - 1:23 am

  I purchased my car new and have had problems since the third month of ownership. Battery was leaking acid after a few months of ownership. Continuous electrical issues; I had the engine compartment fuel box replaced, Im always replacing fuses. Calalytic converter has been replaced after few months of ownership...is broken again. Was getting 19/29m/p/g now gets 8 m/p/g. Engine noises, nocking noises, fuel intake issues; the interior door panel split. Poor support from Pontiac/GM. I have a stack of services/repair invoices over an inch thick. Its sad because it was my dream car.

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  Need a shoe horn to get in and out - 2005 Pontiac Grand Prix
  By Jeff - October 4 - 10:40 pm

  Went to buy a Bonneville but Pontiac wasnt dealing with that car so I got talked into a Grand Prix. Nice car and fun to drive but windshield is way to rakish and low. Cannot get in and out without hitting my head. Seat has to at lowest and furthest back position to avoid my head touching the ceiling. Homelink would have been a great option. Back seats are all but useless. Front bucket seats are too narrow. Not a family vehicle. It was a big mistake to buy this vehicle.

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  Never Again! - 2002 Pontiac Montana
  By smkcmorse - October 2 - 10:00 am

  After having a bad experience with a Pontiac Sunfire, I purchased a 2002 Montana. I will never again buy another Pontiac. It starts very sluggish will frequent stalling at ignition, dealer said nothing was wrong. The windshield wipers were not designed for a snowy climate, and are awful to deal with during our long winter. The rear seatbelts are poor fitting and very uncomfortable. The tether bracket of the Lower Achor and Tether for CHildren is partially covered by the seats upholsetry and very difficult to use. The list goes on and on...........

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  hmmm - 2001 Pontiac Aztek
  By bobbobob - September 18 - 10:00 am

  still cant get over the exterior styling, my son wanted one, my explored has better acceleration than it, and is not as "out of the box"